Hunt at the helm in the City of Poquoson

March 21, 2011|By Jon Cawley, jcawley@dailypress.com | 757-247-4635

Poquoson's vice mayor formally became mayor Monday.

The city's now-former Vice Mayor W. Eugene "Gene" Hunt Jr. had been acting mayor since Gordon Helsel's election to the Virginia House of Delegates earlier this month. At Monday's City Council meeting, councilman H.R. "Buddy" Green nominated Hunt to be officially elected mayor.

"I'll second that Mr. Mayor, err, Mr. Vice Mayor — that was just a little premature," said councilman Frank Krieger, to laughter from other Council members.

No one else was nominated and the Council voted 5-0 to elect Hunt mayor. Hunt, who abstained from the vote, has been on Poquoson's City Council for more than a decade. He was elected vice mayor by the Council in May to fill the seat left empty by the death of A.V. "Binks" Holloway.

"I really do appreciate the support, especially from Council," Hunt said Monday. "We've got a lot to go through in the coming years. I'm looking forward to doing that with ya'll at least until November when the next general election will be."

City Council then unanimously elected Western Precinct Council member Carey L. Freeman vice mayor.

The city is seeking applicants to fill Hunt's now-vacant Western Precinct seat. Those interested should send a short biography, resume and cover letter to the Poquoson City Manager's office by 4:30 p.m. March 25. For more information, call 868-3000.

Transparency recognized

York County was one of six Virginia localities to be recognized by the Sunshine Review with a Sunny Award for website transparency.

In addition to York, the Michigan-based non-profit organization recognized Gloucester and Mathews counties, Williamsburg-James City County public schools and the City of Alexandria and Arlington County. According to the Sunshine Review, "grading takes into account the proactive disclosure of information regarding budgets, meetings, elected and administrative officials, permits and zoning, audits, contracts, lobbying, public records, and taxes, as well as the ease of use and availability of information."

To read more about the 2011 Sunny Award winners go to http://www.sunshinereview.org.

Employees give back

York's "Values Team" recently collected more than 1,600 items from fellow county employees during an annual food drive. The non-perishable food and personal hygiene products will be donated to Avalon: A Center for Women and Children, and the York-Poquoson Social Services food pantry, a county statement said.

The "Values Team" is an employee advisory committee that is dedicated to promoting positive employee morale.

Time for a change

After more than two years handling York and Poquoson news, I have been re-assigned to cover transportation and tourism. Former Williamsburg reporter Tyra Vaughn will pick up where I left off. Que vaya bien.